Arsenal will play host to Aston Villa this evening as we search for our second win in three days. Arsenal head into this fixture having returned to winning ways in midweek, thanks to a 2–1 victory over Tottenham. Likewise, our opponents come off the back of a win themselves, setting the stage for what is sure to be an entertaining encounter. From our perspective, anything less than a win would be catastrophic as we strive to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the table. Liverpool, speaking of whom, will play just before us today, so it will be interesting to see how we handle the pressure of playing after them. Arsenal will undoubtedly be buoyed by the fact that we’ve already beaten Villa this season, but we should be under no illusions—they will be tough to beat today.
Mikel Arteta was not keen to give too much away in his pre-match press conference, but he confirmed that decisions would need to be made in conjunction with the medical staff regarding some players’ availability. Rumours are circulating that Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori participated in first-team training yesterday. Hopefully, at least one of those players will return to the side. That said, Arteta also confirmed that neither of the long-term absentees is close to making a comeback, which might dash hopes of seeing Tomiyasu or Ben White in the matchday squad.
Until then, we can start making assumptions about how the Spaniard will set up the squad. For my predicted line-up, I believe Arteta will largely stick with the team that beat Spurs in midweek, with one minor change. This adjustment will come on the right wing, where Raheem Sterling will make way for Gabriel Martinelli. Here’s the predicted line-up in full:
David Raya
Jurrien Timber
William Saliba
Gabriel Magalhães
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Thomas Partey
Declan Rice
Martin Ødegaard (c)
Leandro Trossard
Kai Havertz
Gabriel Martinelli
Aston Villa boasts several players capable of troubling even the league’s strongest sides. However, I believe Morgan Rogers will pose the greatest threat. In the reverse fixture earlier this season, he was nearly unplayable at times, thanks to his direct ball-carrying and movement. In fact, he could have contributed to goals against us had it not been for his lack of end product on the day. Heading into tonight’s game, he is their most in-form player, with three goals and two assists in his last five games. Limiting his opportunities will be crucial, as he plays a pivotal role in Villa’s attacking play.
This will undoubtedly be a tougher game than the midweek clash. Tottenham, as poor as they were, still managed to cause us some problems, so containing and overcoming Villa will be even more difficult. I think the winner of this game will do so by the narrowest of margins, and I’m optimistic it will swing in our favour. For this reason, I’m predicting a 1–0 win to the Arsenal.
Score predictions in the comments, Gooners!
BENJAMIN KENNETH
3-0 to Arsenal; but arteta need to start Party, Rice and Ode in the midfield.
It’s matchday, yes it is! COYG!!!
Good day too everyone on here.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
PLEASE WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE PREDICTION GAME?
Dan’s EPL Predictions, too be precise?
I predict a riot I predict a riot. Just a little bit of morning humour. 😂🤣😉👍
It’s most likely to be a repeat of wednesday’s game. So am predicting 2-1 to Arsenal
An emotional return of the Spaniard, Emery no doubt will want this one.
For some strange reason am seeing a lot of goals in this one as hell bruck loose.
Am predicting a 3 – 2 when the dust settles.
I cannot honestly see us scoring three past Martinez, perhaps one maybe.
@Gunsmoke
No doubt he will….
I believe that our Achilles heel is the forward line while the backline and midfield are very secure. That being the case, this game will not have many goals because we shall contain Aston Villa’s attacks. My feeling is that Arsenal will win this game by a margin of two goals.
Draw 1-1
It’s going to be tough. I think a very tight scoreline but we can do it
COYG
If the attack rises to the challenge, we will defeat them without a doubt.
Artsenal,because Arsenal and art are two sides of the same coin.
Apparently Saliba is out with a hamstring twinge. Timber replacing him and Partey at RB.
OT but Arteta needs to watch what Bournemouth have done to Newcastle and try that in the second leg of the Carabao cup.
Still hurts how we made Newcastle look like world class superstars.
Maybe one of these days Arteta will have
enough talent in the starting 11 to mirror the
beautiful style of futbol that Bournemouth
just employed to curbstomp the seemingly
unbeatable Newcastle @ SJP.
The Cherries could of easily scored 3 or 4 more
against the same Toon defense that the mighty
Arsenal could barely muster a decent chance
against.
In ARTETA we trust….SMFH
The barcodes didn’t exactly pack the penalty area when defending today like they did when they played us in the 1st leg of the semi final 🙄
On another note if Bournemouth can do it at Newcastle then so so can we in the second leg on 2nd Feb . COYG
Reddb10,
But Bournemouth have a good striker. something we sadly lack and have done for three seasons and counting. Just saying.
Who would that good striker be Derek ? Just asking.
Herr Drier,
Take your pick,
1. Evanilson
2. Dango Ouattara
3. Luis Sinistera
4. Justin Kluivert
5. Enes Unal
Does that answer your question. 😉👍
Liverpool Loses.
To score goals you have to shoot. We are a sadly shot shy team. They want to walk it into the net or score from corners. SHOOT….”If you don’t shoot you can’t kill” and old Gangster told me. If the Gunners don’t shoot then expect little.